Infestation by microbes cause cross infection by pathogensand develop odour where the fabric is worn next to skin. In addition, thestaining and loss of the performance properties of textile substrates are theresults of microbial attack. The microbial attack on textiles results in odorformation, contamination risk, strengthreduction, quality loss, detrimental effects on the consumer, anddetrimental effects on the fabric itself. Basically, with a view to protect thewearer and the textile substrate itself antimicrobial finish is applied totextile materials. Antimicrobials are defined as the agent that either killmicroorganisms or simply inhibit their growth. The degree of activity isdenoted by:


  • cidal: agent that kill microorganisms
  • static: agents that inhibits microorganisms growth


Worldwide annual production of fabrics with antimicrobialpost-treatment 26.5 ktons &Fabrics with antimicrobial fibers 4.5 ktons .Themethods of fabrication of antimicrobial textiles can be classified in twoprincipal categories:


(a) Addition of an antimicrobial agent to the polymer beforeextrusion (fiber chemistry) and


(b) Post-treatment of the fiber or the fabric duringfinishing stages.
Intrinsicallyantimicrobial fibers, Fibers with antimicrobial treatment, Fabrics withantimicrobial treatment.


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Theauthor is Assistant Professor in Dept of Microbiology at Adama University,Ethiopia